Summer Forest School
WEEK 1: Washington Crossing State Park, Knox Grove
July 6-10
9:30am-1pm
$300
WEEK 2: Washington Crossing State Park, Knox Grove
July 13-17
9:30am-1pm
$300
WEEK 3: Washington Crossing State Park, Knox Grove
July 20-24
9:30am-1pm
$300
WEEK 4: Washington Crossing State Park, Knox Grove
July 27-31
9:30am-1pm
$300
In the fall of 2014, Painted Oak Nature School became the first preschool in Mercer county, NJ to offer a nature immersion program inspired by the waldkindergartens of Germany. In our 10th year, and having expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, we became registered as a private school, PONS was the first elementary and middle school in the state to include a Forest School model at the heart of its work. Research continues to support that connecting children to the natural world benefits their bodies, minds, and spirits.
During the time our classes spend in the forest, any, or all, of the following is enjoyed:
- climbing trees - creating Earth arts - listening to birds - tracking animals - nature journaling - building shelters - playing games - wild edible snacks with pine needle tea
GENERAL RHYTHM:
9:30am - drop off at Knox Grove for free play on the field
10am - Morning Gathering with songs, intentions, Forest game(s)
10:30am - bathroom break, water refill before hike
10:45am - hike to our destination spot for the day, set expectations,
present materials...explore!
12:15pm - hike back to picnic pavilion for lunch + stories + playground
1pm - pick up from Knox Grove
Please note: All of our programs utilize The Painted Oak Approach. This method puts the children's interests and curiosities at the forefront of our teaching. We will present topics, materials, and resources from questions the children pose and what observations they make. Therefore, we don't have predetermined themes for the week - each day's learning could be different, or we might have a topic that lasts the whole week.
Forest School welcomes children who are age 3-7 and who are 'potty proficient'.